Did US military deploy surface-to-air missile systems at Mar-a-Lago?

In October, social media posts claimed that the U.S. military deployed high-tech missile defense systems at and around Mar-a-Lago, the West Palm Beach, Florida, resort owned by President Donald Trump. 

One Facebook post claimed that the surface-to-air missiles had been deployed “at the Secret Service’s request after more than 60 airspace intercepts near the estate.”

Snopes readers contacted us hoping we could confirm or deny the presence of the new defenses.

We found conclusive evidence confirming the claim is true. 

Local media outlets, including The Palm Beach Post and West Palm Beach’s CBS and NBC affiliate TV stations, reported on the development and captured footage of the systems on a barge outside Mar-a-Lago and at the nearby President Donald J. Trump International Airport. A search of Getty Images, a reputable image repository, for photos of Mar-a-Lago also uncovered two separate images of the missile systems taken on Oct. 24. 

According to the local media reports, the security systems were installed by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) at the request of the Secret Service. Snopes contacted both for comment on the matter.

NORAD sent us the following statement via email confirming it deployed the security systems at the Secret Service’s request:

At the request of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and under NORAD and USNORTHCOM authorities, NORAD and USNORTHCOM recently deployed ground-based air defense assets and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities in and around Mar-a-Lago, Florida. These assets add a complementary layer of technology to enhance protection. Due to operational security, we are unable to provide additional details.

The Secret Service also confirmed in a statement emailed to Snopes that it had requested the defense systems:

The U.S. Secret Service is operating in a heightened threat environment, and we continuously adapt our protective operations to incorporate cutting-edge tools, technology, and methods to safeguard our protectees.  At the request of the U.S. Secret Service, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command are providing Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities in support of our protective operations.

Snopes reviewed the images and videos of the missile platforms in an attempt to determine more specifically what defenses had been deployed. Based on the configuration of the missiles (4 on each side in a 2×2 formation stored in long, rectangular pods) and the turret’s facade, we determined they were likely Avenger Air Defense Systems, developed by Boeing for the U.S. Army in the late 1980s and early 1990s as ground-based protection against airborne threats.

According to the U.S. Military’s Worldwide Equipment Guide, an open source database that provides information on active military systems and technologies from across the globe, the Avenger Air Defense System is specifically geared to defend against short-range or low-flying airborne targets, including drones, planes and helicopters. Each platform can fire up to eight “fire-and-forget” FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air guided missiles. A single Stinger missile cost more than $400,000 in 2023, according to 60 Minutes. 

Sources